Twickenham cup final was ‘unbelievable’ experience for Buxton RUFC

Leading Buxton RUFC out at Twickenham was a ‘spinetingling’ moment for captain Josh de Groot.

Unfortunately, the result didn’t go Buxton’s way with Surrey’s Old Cranleighans lifting the RFU Junior Vase Final after winning 50-0.

But the experience of being able to play at Twickenham will remain with all those involved for years to come.

“It was unbelievable”, Josh said. “It was an absolute honour to captain Buxton in front of all those fans today.

“At the end of the day, they were a lot fitter than us and a lot of the lads were a bit overwhelmed with the occasion as it is a massive thing so there were a lot of nerves. But we have to give OC’s credit, the better team on the day did win.

“It’s an honour to represent this club and what a fantastic season we’ve had.

“We’re looking forward to building on this for next season now, we’ve got to keep our chins up for the future because it is bright. We’ve got a young squad with five or six years in them yet so there are bright times ahead.”

And Buxton RUFC director of rugby Karl de Groot was full of praise for all his players as well as the fans who made the trip down south to support their team at Twickenham.

“There were more Buxton fans here than there were OC’s from what I could seem,” he said.

“When we clapped them and you turn round and there’s 400 or 500 of them, it’s just phenomenal. People in Morrisons who I don’t know were saying good luck at Twickenham so it’s fantastic for the town, win lose or draw.”

And despite the result, de Groot and the team will take many positives from the experience and the season as a whole, having romped to the Midlands Four East (North) title by winning every match.

“It was a fantastic game and at the end of the day, the best team won by a mile, he added. “We knew this before we came, there’s a difference between a lot of these guys’ backgrounds, from public schools who play rugby every day to a town that doesn’t play rugby so we punched above our weight.

“I’m immensely proud of everybody,” he added. “Not just for the rugby, but for the team spirit, the squad ethos, how tight the lads are as a unit and how they’ve grown over a year.

“It’s been a wonderful experience. Maybe it’s just a little bit cramped in terms of the schedule but in terms of the enjoyment perspective, for the lads to go out there and play is a dream come true.”